Tensiometer



Jian7 239 95 P. J. CAMPBELL. 2538,932

TENSIOMETER Filed April 5. 1947 /42 2 if; 38'/ /5 26 /025 3F /4 3.2

r; W M 34 lf-llMMd/2` I I I l /A BY www Patented Jan. 23, 1951 TENSIOMETER Paul J. Campbell, Middletown, Conn., assign'or'to RaymondEngineering Laboratory, Inc., Middletown, Conn., a. corporation kofConnecticut Application April 3, 1947, Serial N0. 739,144

9 Claims. (Cl. i3-144) yThe -object of the invention is to provide a'simple and reliable tensiometer adapted for indicating the tension in avstrand of yarn, more particularly in a moving 'strand of yarn. Theterni yarn is used in -a generic lsense and is vintended to include notonly material of the types commonly designated as yarn, but also anyother readily iiexible elongated material as to Vwhiol'i it may benecessary :or desirable to deter- ;mine tension.

In accordance with the invention two yarn guides are provided aroundwhich two reverse 4.loops of the strand of yarn are .-formed, the mainyportions of the strand extending in opposite directions from the loops.A rotatable frame is provided for supporting a pivoted carrier on whichat least one of the guides is mounted, and a spring is provided forresisting relative rotation between the frame and the carrier. Theextent of relative rotation in opposition to the spring is determined bythe yarn tension, and means including a scale .and a pointer is providedfor indicating the extent of relative rotation and for .thus indicatingthe tension.

In the drawing lI have shown in detail Va preferred embodiment of theinvention, but it will be understood that various changes may be made.from the construction shown, and that the drawing is not to be construedas delining or ylimiting the scope of the invention, the claims forminga part of this specication being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawing, n

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal central sectional view through a tensiometerembodying the invention.

Fig. '2 is a rear view. Fig. 3 is a front view with the parts in thesame relative positions as in Figs. 'l and v2.

-f-Fig'. 45 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing tthe parts indilTerent-relative positions.

When adapted to be held manually it comprises i i5," handle, generallyindicated at l0, which is preferably cylindrical and of suitable size tobe conveniently .gripped by ythe hand of the user. A ila-nge. I 2 isconnected with the handle portion I at one end thereof, preferably therear D fend. A carrier I4 is provided immediately ad- :jacentthe angeI`2 and this carrier is pivotally connected with `they frame, preferablyfwith the handles.' o 'tion IU .thereotior `rotation--about a,

'central' 'longitudinal axis. Two yarnguide's IB.'

2 i6 are provided which `project outward or rearward from the ilange l2and at least one 'of these guides is supported on the carrier `I 4 at asubstan- 4,tial distance from the axis .of relative rotation carrier.

thereof.. Preferably, both guides I6, I6 are mounted on the carrier |14.and are equally spaced from theaxis of relative rotation, beingpositioned at opposite sides of the said axis. A spring I8 is providedwhich serves vto resist any relative rotation in `one direction betweenthe `trame and the carrier. Means 'including a scale and a pointer isprovided 4for `indicating the extent of Vrelative rotation between theV:frame and the As shown, this means comprises a circular scale 2U onthe outer portion of the flange I2 and a pointer 22 on the ,carrier I4and associated with the vscale 20. The vpointer 22 is preferably on aline through `the center ofthe guides.

While the invention is 'not necessarily limited as to details, the4construction shown has been found to be highly desirable and this willbe ,described in detail.

The `handle vI0 of the frame comprises two sections 24 and 26. Thehandle section 26 is hollow and Aa core 28 is located therein, the 4saidcore being relatively rotatable for purposes of adjustment. A forwardextension 30 on the core extends through apertures in the adjacent ends'of the handle lsections :24 and 26 and has a central threaded aperture.A screw 32 extends through a bushing r34 seated in a recess in the frontend of the front handle section 24. This :screw enters the threadedaperture in the core extension 30 and when the screw is tightened thel.two handle sections .'24 Kand 26 and the core 28 vare held in xedrelationship with each other.

A sleeve 36 is-rotatably-mounted on a rearward extension 38 of the core28 and is held in place by means `of a washer 40 and a 'screw 42. Thebefore#mentione'd carrier I4 is `rigidly connected rwith ja ilangeon-the sleeve 36 by brazing or otherwise.- Thus the carrier I4 isconnected with the handle Vportion of the frame for relative rotation.,

The before-mentioned spr-ing I8 surrounds the rearward extension-38ofthe core, one end of the spring beingfentered in -an aperture in the.core proper v*and the other end of the spring being enteredin anaperture in the `flange on the sleeve 36. AThe spring is sowound andpositioned thatfit resists rotation -of the frame relatively to thecarrier Yand the'guides in the clockwise directlc. t,

tion,asvviewed in Fg.2,-o r in the counterclock wise directionasviewediinFig. 4. 'Re1ative'-rota' Y he spring;

@narrante in the" direction stated 4tends,

Y various markings on the scale.

ward extending pins 56, 56.

Preferably, a pin 44 extends forward from the ange on the sleeve 36 andis adapted to engage, a pin 46 projecting inward from the wall of thehandle section 26. The engagement of the pin 44 with the pin 46 servesto limit relative movement in the spring unwinding direction.

The yarn guides I6, I6 are preferably in the form of rotatable groovedwheels, so as to reduce friction to a minimum when the tensiometer isused with a moving strand of yarn. As shown,

the carrier I f1 is provided with two outward or rearward projectingbearing studs 138, 4S on which the grooved wheels I5, I6 are mounted.Preferably, ball bearings S, 'are interposed between the studs 48, 48and the wheelsl, I6.

The flange I?. has an outward or rearward extending rim 52 and thebefore-mentioned scale 22 is engraved or otherwise formed on or attachedto the rim 52. As indicated, the markings of the scale extend in stepsof 10 from 0 to 100. The pointer 22 on the carrier I4 is located withinthe rim 52 and is adapted to register with the The markings are sospaced that the pointer directly indicates the tension in the strand ofyarn, which tension .a

may be measured in grams. Preferably, for a reason which will presentlyappear, the flange I2 is formed of a suitable transparent material suchas a plastic material, so that the scale 2) and the pointer 22 canbe'observed from the fronti- Inasmuch` as the scale is to be observedfrom the front through the transparent ange I2, the figure markingsthereof are reversed when Viewed from the rear as in Fig. 2.

As shown, the carrier I4 is provided with laterally extending ears 54,54 which carry rear- Each of the said ears projects in thecounterclockwise direction, that is, in the direction opposite to thedirection of relative rotation of the frame which is resisted by thespring I8.

When the tensiometer is in use, as shown in Fig. 4, the strand of yarnA, in which the tension is to be measured, extends partly around the twoguides I6, I5 to form two relatively reverse loops with the mainportions of the strand extending in opposite directions fromv the loops.The drawing shows a relatively thick strand A, but it will be understoodthat the tensiometer is particularly indicates the amount of tension inthe strand of yarn. In the specific instance shown in Fig. 4, thetension is 40 grams. Inasmuch as the guides I6, I6 are freely rotatablewheels, little or no resistance is offered to movement of the strand ofyarn and the tensiometer can be used to measure the tension in a rapidlymoving strand.

In order that the loops shown in Fig. i may be conveniently formed, thetensiometer is initially vpositioned manually at the front of the strandof yarn, as shown in Fig. 3, the tensiometer being so positioned thatthepointer 2 2 and the Zero marking on the scale v2,!!` are at thebottom. `flhe strand of yarn-,A extends between-the two guides I6, I6.Inasmuch as the flange-I2 LS. transparenm 4 the scale 20 and the pointer22 can be readily seen from the front. Furthermore, the transparentflange enables the user to see the strand of yarn and the guides I6, I6so that the device can be easily positioned with the strand between theguides.

It will be observed from Fig. 1 that the rear face of the ange I2 isadjacent the guides I5, I6

and is therefore adapted to engage the straight strand of yarn A shownin Fig. 3. This flange limits rearward movement of the tensiometer withrespect to the strand so that the strand can be properly engaged by theguides to form loops as shown in Fig. 4. When the guides are groovedwheels, the rear face of the flange I2 is approximately in register withthe front edges of the grooves in the wheels so that the strand isrelatively positioned for entering the grooves.

With the tensiometer located as shown in Fig. 3, the user turns thehandle I0 to rotate the entire device in the counterclockwise directionfrom the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 4. Thehandle I0 serves primarily to rotate the frame about an axisapproximately coincident with the axis of relative rotation between theframe and Ythe carrier. When the frame is so rotated, the spring I8causes the carrier I4 to also rotate carrying the guides I6,

" I6 with it. Movement of the guides forms the described loops in thestrand. As stated, the carrier and the guides are moved by the springI8, Tand if there were no tension in the strand of yarn the spring wouldnot be wound and all of the parts would rotate in unison, the pointer 22remaining at or near the zero marking on the scale 2Q. However, whenthere is tension in the strand of yarn, such tension must be overcomeand the spring I8 must be wound to an extent sufficient to overcome it.As the spring is wound, the frame with the cale 2i) thereon moves to agreater extent than the carrier and the guides. The extent of additionalrotation of the frame is indicated on the scale 2i) by the pointer 22,thus indicating the tension in the strand of yarn. It will be understoodthat the rotation of the frame is continued until the line through thecenters of the guides is substantially perpendicular to the main porftions of the strand. Minor variations from the exact perpendicularrelationship are immaterial, but any major variation would result in anincorrect reading.

The pins 56, 56 do not ordinarily function and may be entirely omittedif preferred. However,

they are desirable to prevent any tangling or breaking of the strand inthe event that the device is inadvertently turned in thecounterclockwise direction far beyond the position shown in Fig. 4, asfor instance 90 or more beyond vsuch position. In the event of suchexcessive turning, the pins 56, 56 would prevent the main portions ofthe strand from engaging with the opposite varn guides.

the pointer 22.

., the scaleZB is angularly adjustable with respect ,--tothe core 28with which the spring I8 is oonnected and on which the carrier. I4 withits pointer 22 is mounted. To effect such angular adjustment the screw32 is loosened and the` rear handle secoflteinsien after theadjustment-has been-made :the-screw 132 is tightened to again iockthe:several parts :in relatively l'xed positions.

'The invention Aclaimed is:

1. In a tensi'ometer for a. .strand tof yarn, the combination of ltwoyarn guides adapted to :en- .fgage two associated relatively reverse.loops of :a strand `of 'yarn with ythe main portions vof 'the strandextending in Aopposite direction-s' .from the loops, a carrier having anaxis :of :relative rota- .tion vand supporting both `'of .the 'guidesfat .Esub- 'stantial equal distances `from the :axis and atdiametrica-lly opposite sides thereof, va frame connected with Vthecarrier to permit `relative rotation -of the carrier `about the saidyaxis of 'relative rotation vwhich frame is independently rotat- 'thefoarrier fand with the lfram'e fory y:resisting rotative `.movement ofthe viframe relatively `to lthe .carrier land vguides which Aare`prevented:from rotation in unison with the iframeby reason of thetension lin the vstra-nd Vof yarn, and means -includi'ng ra scale Vandan `associatedpointer for indicating the `extent of rotative movement ofthe 'frame in opposition to the spring 'and relatively to the carrierand guides 4and for thus vindicating 'the tension in the strand of yarnwhenthe-lframe 'has :been rotated so that a 'line through the centers ofthe two `guides Cis substantially perpendicular to themainpor-tions 4ofthe strand.

2. In :a tensiometer :for ia strand oi yarn, the 'combination Yof two`yarn Iguides adapted to enlgage 'two 'associated vrelatively`reverse'loop's -of .a

strand .of yarn `with the Amain `portions of the 'strand extending inopposite directions from the loops, a `'carrier having an axis of`relative 'rotation :and ysupporting both of the guides at sub-.'s'tanltial equal vdistances from 'thefaxis ,and -atdiametricallyopposite sides thereof, a iframe connected `with the carrier 'to permitrelative rotation :of the carrier about the said axis of relativeyrotation which frame is vindependently rotatable about' the same axis,a-'spring connected with 4.the carrier and with the ltrame Jforresistingl rotative movement of the framegrelatively to the carrier andguides which are prevented'from -rotation in `unison with the frame byreason of :the tension'in the `strand of yarn, `a circulaiscale lon theiframe, and la pointer on the lcarrier -associated with'the scale andpositioned on the line connecting the 'centers of the-two guides, the.said pointer indicating the extent `of rotative movement Lof the "framerelatively `to vthe carrier Yand A.guides .and 4thus `indicating thetension in the lstrand of `yarn when the frame hasbeen rotated so that:the said line throngh 'the centers of 'the `two .guides issubstantially perpendicular `to the main portions of the strand."

.3. In a tensiomete'r fora st-rand of yarn, the

:combination oi 'a carrier'having an.u.axisof relative rotation, "twoyarn A'gi-iid'es 'supported on the the said .guides upon .rotatif/emovement of-:the

"carrier and guides through approximately .180 serving to form twoassociated rejverse loops in the strand 'with the main portionsof thestrand extendingin opposite directions from the loops, -fa frameconnected with the'icarrier to permit relative rotation ofthecarrier'about the said axis of relative rotation whiohfframe issimilarly rotatable independently, a spring Monnectng the framerwith thecarrier 'for rotating the carrier .and guides :to form lreverse loops as-aforesaid `when the `Trame ris rotated, the said Ispringv perlrnitti'n'g .the .frame to .rotate additionally to the ycarrier .andguides to an extent dependent upon the resistance to carrier and yguiderotation `'resulting 'from yarn tension at the. loops, and .meansincludin'ga scale and an yassociated `pointer kfor indicating therextent of the said yadditional rotation of the .frame and ifor thus.indicating yarn tension when the .line through the carrier axis 4andthrough .the centers ofthe two guides'is 'substantially perpendicular tothe main portions rof the strand.

iin -a tensiometer for a strand of. yarn, th combination :of a carrier.having an axis of relative rotation, `two spaced yarn guides supportedon the carrier at substantial equal distances l.from the axis and fat:fdiametric-ally vopposite `.sides thereof, a `space being providedbetween the Viwvo guides for .receiving 'an initially straight strandfofyarn extending transversely of the aforesaid axis and the 'said rguidesupon rotative movement I'of 'the :carrier and guides throughapproximately T80 'serving to `form two associated reverse loops in Ythestrand Lwith the .main portions of .the strand extending in oppositedirections from the loops, a manually supported frame connected with`the .carrier to support it `and to Vpermit relative rotation `of thefcarrier about the said :axis of .relative rotation which vframe is.similarly rota-table .manually vand independently, a. .springvconnecting .the frame with `the carrier for `.rotating the carrier andguides to .form .reverse loops as aforesaid `when the vframe is.-rotated, .the said spring permitting the yframe 4to rotateadditionally to the carrier and guides toan extent dependent upon theresistance to carrier and guide .rotation `resulting.; from yarn.tension ,at the loops, :and means .including "a scale and an associatedpointer `for indicating the extent of the zsaid additional rotation ofthe Aframe and for thus indicating Ayarn tension.

5. In a tens-iometer for a strand of yarn, .the combination Aof Aa.frame `comprising a handle, .a carrier connected with the 'frameadjacent :the :ange iand relatively rotatable about va vlongitudinalaxis, two vyarn guides on the carriergprojeoting outward therefrom at'equal distances from :the AaxisV and at diametrically 'opposite sidesthereof, the said guides Lbeing positioned .to initially receive betweenthem a straight strand of yarn vextend-ing transversely v'of theaforesaid axis and the `said Vguides fserving uponrotation of the`carrier and guides from their initial positions to form two associated.reverse loops in the :strand with the :main portions `of the strand.extending .in opposite directions from .the loops, a angesecured tov.the handle :of the vframe adjacent lthe guides .for engagement withthe said straight .strand of `yarn-'softhat the said strand-ds relative-Vly positioned for engagement -.by the guides upon .rotative movement:of the carrier and guides, a :spring connecting the ,frame with thecarrier for `rotating the carrier and `guides `to form loops .-as'aforesaid when v`theframe is rotated. about its `1on- ,gitudinal axis,`the said` springy lpermitting the' irame -withits `flange Ato rotateadditionally `:to the l.carrier fand guides y.to an extent :dependentupon the resistance^-to carrier and guide :rotationgresulting irom yarntension-at Lthe 1oops,;a circular vscale -on lthe angesof theframe,andapoin'ter on the carrier Afor indicatinggon thefscale the extent .thesaidadditional rotation .of 'thejfirame Vand for thus indicating`yarntension. `6. In a tensiometer for a strand of.yar1`1.the

'combination of a frame comprising a handle, a carrier connected withthe frame adjacent the flange and relatively rotatable about alongitudinal axis, two bearing studs on the carrier projecting outwardtherefrom at equal distances from the axis and at diametrically oppositesides thereof, rotatable 'circumferentiall'y grooved wheels on thebearing studs constituting yarn guides, the said guides being positionedto initially receive between them a straight strand of l,

yarn extending transversely of the aforesaid axis and the said guidesserving upon rotation of the carrier and guides from their initialpositions to form two associated reverse loops in the strand with themain portions of the strand extending in opposite directions from theloops, a flange se- 'cured to the handle of the frame adjacent thegrooved wheels for engagement with the said straight strand of yarn sothat the said strand is lrelatively positioned for entry intothe'circumferential grooves in the said wheels, a spring con- `nectingthe frame with the carrier for rotating the carrier and guides to formloops as aforesaid 'when the frame is rotated about its longitudinalaxis, the said spring permitting theY frame tnt'of the said additionalrotation of the'frame and for thus indicating yarn tension.

7. In a tensiometer for a strand of yarn, the combination of a framecomprising a handle, a carrier connected with the frame adjacent theflange and relatively rotatable about a longitudinal axis, two yarnguides on the carrier projecting outward therefrom at equal distancesfrom the axis and at diametrically opposite sides thereof, the saidguides being positioned to initially receive between them a straightstrand of yarn extending transversely of the aforesaid axis and the saidguides serving upon rotation of the carrierv and guides from theirinitial positions 1to form two associated reverse loops in the strandwith the main port-ionsof the strand extending in'o'ppo's'ite'directions from the loops, a flange 5ecured to the handleof the frame adjacent the 'guides for engagement with the said straightstrand of yarn so that the 'said strand is relatively positioned forengagement by the' guides upon rotative movement of the carrier andguides,a spring connecting the handle portion -of the frame with thecarrier for rotating the ca'r'rier 'Y and guides to form loops asaforesaid when the frame is rotated about its longitudinal axis, thesaid spring permitting the frame withits flange tofrot'at'e'additionally to the 'carrier'and' guides vto an 'extent dependentupon'tlie resistance'to carrier and 'guide rotation resulting' from'yarn tension at the loops, a circular scale on the an'ge of thefrarne,` a pointer on the carrier 'for indicat-ing on the scale theextent of the said additional rotation of the frame and for thus "indi-'eating yarn tension, and means enabling the flange to be adjusted'angularlyi with respect'v to "the handle portion of the frame t'o Varythe r'elationship between 'the scale andthe pointer.

8; In `a'tensiometer for a strand 'o'f yarn, 'the combination of a framecomprising a handle 'and a transparent flange at one end thereof,va'carrier connected with the frame adjacentthe flange and relativelyrotatable about a longitudinal axis, two spaced yarn guides on thecarrier projecting rearward therefrom at equal distances from the axis,the said guides being adapted to initially receive a straight strand ofyarn between them with the handle and flange at the front of the saidstrand and being adapted upon rotation of the carrier and guides fromtheir initial positions to form two associated reverse loops in thestrand with the main portions of the strand extending in oppositedirections from the loops, a spring connecting the frame with thecarrier for rotating the carrier and guides to form loops as aforesaidwhen the frame is rotated about its 1ongitudinal axis, the said springpermitting the frame with its flange to rotate additionally to thecarrier and guides to an extent dependent upon the resistance to carrierand guide rotation resulting from yarn tension at the loops, a circularscale on the flange of theframe which may be observed from the front,and a pointer onthe carrier for indicating on the scale the extent ofthe said additional rotation of the frame and for thus indicating yarntension, the said pointer being visible from the front through the saidtransparent flange. i v

9. In a tensiometer for a strand of yarn, the combination of a framecomprising a handle and a flange at one end thereof, a carrier connectedwith the frame adjacent the ange and relatively rotatable about alongitudinal axis, two spaced l-yarn guvdesvonthe carrierprojectingoutward and guides to form loops as aforesaid when the frame is rotatedabout its longitudinal axis, the said spring permitting the frame withits flange to rotate additionally to the carrier and guides to an extentdependent upon the resistance to -ca-rrieriand guide- -rotationresulting from yarn tensiorrat the loops, a circular scale on-the flangeof the frame, a pointer on the carrier for indicating on the scale theextent of the said additional rotationof the frame and for thusindicating yarn tension when the line through the centers of the guidesis substantially perpendicular to the main portions of the strand, andtwo pins on the carrier adjacent the respective guides and spacedtherefrom in directions opposite to the directions of movement of theguides to form ll the ksaid loops, the said pinsgbeing adapted to engageand guide the yarn in the'event' that the guides vmove substantiallybeyond the positions in which -the line through their centers 4isperpendicular to the main portions of the strand."

PAUL J. CAMPBELL;

REFERENCES CITED K The following references are of record in ,tl'ie fileof thisv patent:

'. .I` J`NITED STATES PATENTS Numberl l `Name 'Date 2,133,763" wiuiamsoct.' 18,' '1938 2,312,419 King Manz, 1943 Oct. '1. 1947

